If all those who say they were victims of former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner’s groping hands, suggestive comments or ill temper get what they want from the city, taxpayers will be out $4 million or more.

U-T Watchdog has obtained nine claims filed against the city by women.

Most had come forward during Filner’s sexual harassment scandal during the summer, but two staffers from Filner’s 11th floor City Hall office had not — Benelia Santos-Hunter, who was executive assistant to Filner and Caroline Ledesma, who served as executive receptionist.

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Santos-Hunter’s $1.5 million complaint does not detail any specific actions by Filner, but says incidents happened multiple times since Jan. 7 and that they took place in locations such as Filner’s office and the executive kitchen.

Santos-Hunter is on leave, city officials said. She suffers from “severe emotional distress, upset, worry, anxiety,” according to her Nov. 15 claim. Santos-Hunter could not be reached for comment. Her attorney did not return a call seeking comment.

Filner’s attorneys also did not respond to a request for comment.

Ledesma was granted a transfer out of Filner’s office on June 24, records show, although she has now returned working for interim Mayor Todd Gloria. She seeks $7,500 in her Oct. 17 claim. She declined to comment, referring the Watchdog to a statement filed with her claim.

The claim does not allege sexual harassment, but rather, bullying.

For example, Filner felt she did not let him know quickly enough about visitors who were waiting to see him.

Zero
75% (331)

Less than $500,000
12% (52)

$500,000 to $2 million
3% (15)

$2 million to $4 million
3% (13)

More than $4 million
7% (31)

“THINK, THINK, THINK, THINK,” he yelled, while “using both hands and pointing to his head,” according to Ledesma’s statement. She said she felt humiliated and belittled.

“The mayor made me feel small, dumb, humiliated, as if he is the supreme and I am a nobody that he can treat as he pleases,” she wrote.

Also seeking money is the National Women Veterans Association of America.

That’s the group that drew national attention in July when it announced Filner would speak — and be presented a lifetime achievement award — at its event despite the numerous sexual harassment allegations leveled against him at the time.

The group booted Filner from the agenda after Filner communications director Irene McCormack Jackson filed a lawsuit against him alleging sexual harassment weeks later.

Tara Jones, the organization’s president and founder, says the group wants to be reimbursed $100,425 for the event, including a nonrefundable $25,000 they provided to the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego for event space. The claim was filed Nov. 7.

“We’re military women,” Jones said. “We’ve been through a lot. Our population has suffered. To target our particular population is very hurtful and we’re trying to bear through it. We want the city to at least reimburse money that has been spent.”

Marilyn McGaughy, an advocate against domestic violence, sought $250,000 on Sept. 6, alleging Filner “kissed, massaged, groped and made repeated sexual advances and comments” while at a May 17 event at Johnson Elementary School.